St. Cloud Rox (minor league baseball)

The St. Cloud Rox were a professional minor league baseball team that existed from 1946 to 1971 in St Cloud, Minnesota, playing in the Northern League for the duration of the franchise.

St. Cloud Rox
1946–1971
(26 Seasons)
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass-A (1963-1964), Class C (1946-1962), Class A Short Season (1965-1971
Previous leagues
Northern League (1946-1971)
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsMinnesota Twins (1965-1971)
Minor league titles
League titles 7 1946, 1955, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971
Team data
NicknameSt. Cloud Rox
BallparkRox Park 1948-1971

History

Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the team played its entire existence in the Northern League. The Rox were affiliates of the New York Giants from 1946 to 1957, the San Francisco Giants from 1958 to 1959, the Chicago Cubs from 1960 to 1964 and the Minnesota Twins from 1965 to 1971.[1] They play their current home games at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud, Minnesota.[2]

The original Rox ceased playing after the 1971 season when the old Northern League folded. Hall of Fame players to play for the Rox include Lou Brock, Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry. Hall of Famer Dave Bancroft managed the team in 1947.

The franchise nickname returned in new form in 2012 replacing the St. Cloud Riverbats in the Northwoods League, a wooden bat collegiate summer baseball league. In 1997, baseball had returned to St. Cloud when the Dubuque Mud Puppies of the Northwoods League relocated and became the " River Bats".[3][4][5]

Ballpark

The Rox played at Rox Park, also known as Municipal Stadium, located at Division Street and 25th Avenue. It opened in 1948 and was demolished in 1971. The park capacity fluctuated from 5,000 in 1947 to 3,600 in 1949.[6][7] The played their final season at the newly constructed Municipal Stadium (now Dick Putz Field).[8]

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame Alumni

Notable alumni

Year-by-year record

(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
194673-311stWalter KoppLeague Champs
194748-717thDave Bancroft
194878-402ndCharlie FoxLost in 1st round
194965-593rdCharlie FoxLost in 1st round
195072-511stCharlie FoxLost in 1st round
195164-552ndHarold KollarLost in 1st round
195260-646thCharlie Fox
195366-593rdCharlie FoxLost in 1st round
195476-542ndCharlie FoxLost in 1st round
195578-472ndCharlie FoxLeague Champs
195661-646thCharlie Fox
195759-635thPete Pavlick
195872-501stRichard KlausLost League Finals
195943-808thRichard Klaus
196049-748thFred Martin
196173-543rdJoe MackoLost League Finals
196261-635thGeorge Freese
196351-696thWalt Dixon4th 16-14*
196454-685thWalt Dixon4th 15-18*
196573-231stJim RantzLeague Champs
196649-181stKen StaplesLeague Champs
196744-261stKen StaplesLeague Champs
196843-271stCarroll HardyLeague Champs
196933-373rdJim Merricknone
197031-395thJim Merricknone
197142-281stKen StaplesLeague Champs

References
  1. Baseball Reference Bullpen
  2. Digital Ballparks
  3. http://www.pointstreaksites.com/view/northwoodsleague/about-nwl/history-11
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/St._Cloud_Rox
  5. "The Rox Name Returns for New St. Cloud Franchise". News. St. Cloud Rox. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 11 March 2012. This team name had been in use previously by a team who was part of the Northern League. They were in operation from the mid 1940s until 1971 and even featured Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock. The Rox lead the North Division in attendance in 2012 with over 55,000 fans attending Rox games.
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Rox_Park
  7. Division Street and 25th Avenue.
  8. https://www.sctimes.com/story/life/2015/06/04/shopping-mall-sits-old-home-rox/28464171/


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